Right now in California, kids as young as 12 in foster care can refuse essential mental health treatment and medical care—and their caregivers have zero authority to step in. I started a petition asking the state to change this.

Here's why this matters: Most foster kids come from trauma. When a 14-year-old refuses medication that could help their PTSD, or a 16-year-old declines a medical screening after potential drug exposure, the people raising them are legally powerless. These caregivers are responsible for these kids' safety and well-being, but they can't actually protect their health.

It's not about control—it's about care. Foster parents are asking for the tools to help kids access the treatment they need to heal. If this resonates with you, would you consider signing and sharing? What's your take—should caregivers have more say in a vulnerable child's medical decisions?

Click the link below and sign the petition please!!

https://c.org/nNVGLktqLV

A former foster kid reached out to me for help & I’m currently at a loss as to how I can. I’m in southern Va, she’s currently in MD.

She, the bf, & kids left the house they were staying in due to other adults using drugs/alcohol/it was unsafe (bf’s family). They are currently living in their car & says it’s not in shape to make a long drive. She is waiting on the paperwork for WIC, food stamps, etc. The bf just started a fast food job & expects a check in 2 weeks. She said she’s door dashing but it isn’t going well.

I’ve called the Salvation Army branch up there, I’ve called local food banks, & a few churches. Waiting to hear back. I told her to try local churches & to post on local Facebook groups. She said the one church she tried, people were mean to her.

She says these are her current bills:
Gas money =$280 a week roughly
Cell phone=$55
Credit card=$54
Insurance=$233
Formula=$48 every 2/3 days
Diapers & wipes= every other week $30-$35 depends on box size I get of diapers.

I hesitate to give her cash due to a history of drug use. Who else can I call? Do you know of any short term/emergency resources that might be able to help?

We are super close to being licensed.

We have looked over on Amazon and all but wanted to get your recs on bunk beds. Our state allows them, but we are waiting for confirmation if they allow turndles or not. We want to get bunk beds that are suitable for both kids and teens (as the age ranges, we are accepting are 6 and up). The bedroom we have is the middle bedroom so it's a somewhat small pace.

What bunk beds work best for this situation? We are trying to stay below $400 (not including mattress's).

Ok so I know there isn't anyone who can give me a definitive answer because the statistics for foster care to change quite regularly. However, I have recently seen foster care statistics go from anywhere between over 400,000 kids in care to about 330,000 and that just feels like a big jump.

I was just wondering where I could get accurate stats on the number of kids in foster care. This is not for a study or a survey I’m just a person who is interested in fostering one day.

I hope this makes sense because if the number is 330,000 that still is a lot but it does mean it is going down which is good.

edit-i know that not all reunifications are a good thing and that number going down may also be very bad

Have a good day ❤️❤️❤️